January 29, 2008
January 29, 2008
TOKYO, JAPAN
Ex-WBA light-flyweight champ Koki Kameda (16-0, 11 KOs), the most sensational boxer here though notorious and flamboyant, will return to the ring and face ex-WBO ruler Jose Lopez Bueno (29-9-4, 15 KOs), a Spanish veteran, in Tokyo, Japan, on March 22. It was announced by his promoter Keiichiro Kanehira of Kyoei Promotions today (Tuesday) at his gym before more than thirty press people in attendance.
Koki, 21, has been inactive since last July when he lopsidedly defeated Cesar Lopez on points despite his bold prediction of an easy and early KO victory in Tokyo. The Japanese southpaw was involved in a national castigation of his younger brother Daiki having committed too frequent and terrible fouls shown in his first crack at the WBC fly belt against Daisuke Naito on October 11, and abruptly cancelled his own slated bout with South African Sipho Mantyi on October 25. Koki himself received a strong warning from the Japan Boxing Commision (JBC) for having urged his brother Daiki to foul against Naito prior to the final round.
Koki smilingly said, “I’m happy to be able to return to the ring. I’ll show a good fight to entertain the crown with a fantastic knockout. I’ll leave for Mexico for training and come home a day before the fight (a joke as usual). I hope to win the second world belt in the flyweight class within this year.”
His promoter Keiichiro Kanehira said, “Koki, as you see, is in good shape, and will endeavor to realize his dream to become a triple-class champ. I’ll do my best to materialize his shot at the world flyweight belt.” Kanehira also handles the WBA fly ruler Takefumi Sakata, and the JBC, in principle, forbids boxers under the same management to fight for a world championship. If so, Koki’s only target will be the winner of the forthcoming WBC title go between Daisuke Naito and Pongsaklek Wonjongkam to be staged here on March 8.
Jose Luis Bueno, 33, once acquired the WBO 112-pound throne by defeating Ruben Sanchez Leon via third-round TKO in 1999. The Spaniard will be a fistic ambassador, since Japan has a good diplomatic relationship with Spain as Jose Duran impressively dethroned WBA junior middle champ Koji Wajima by an upset 14th-round KO in Tokyo in 1976. Bueno’s encounter with Kameda will do bueno (good) to the future collaborations of both countries. Should Bueno upset Kameda, it will be a second shocker following the Duran-Wajima affair.
(1-29-08)